RONA AGAIN

Evening Star, Issue 18543, 28 January 1924, Page 8

RONA AGAIN

LINNET LOSES CHANGE. BEST RACE OP SERIES. [From Opr Own Reporter.] WELLINGTON, January 28. The fourth Sander's Cup race was sailed this morning in a light fluky northerly breeze over a windward and leeward course, starting from the end of Clyde quay wharf, thence round Coromandel buoy and back to the starting line—three times round. The. race, which was the most exciting and spectacular of the series, resolved itself into a battle for supremacy between Rona and Linnet. The skipper of the Canterbury boat lost a certain win through changing his | tactics nearing the turning buoy on tho last round, combined with tho brilliant 1 seamanship displayed by Rona’s youthful crew. Lidgard sailed a well-judged race. Ho stood in on a short starboard tack when nearing Coromandel buoy on tho last round, and picked up a good leading breeze, which Linnet, standing further out, did not get. This was a brilliant move on tho part of Rona’s skipper, and was the deciding factor of tho race. Sinclair showed good judgment in keeping Rona on his lee on tho last beat up, except on that particular breaking of tacks when Lidgard established his lead. Murlhiku, which sailed well at the start, misjudged Coromandel buoy when very close in on tho first round, having to break tacks twice right on the buoy, thus allowing the two leading boats to draw well away from her. Murihiku carrier! a leading jib all the way, but this sail seemed to bo a decided disadvantage in tho strong puffs, knocking tho boat away to leeward all the time. The three boats which qualified for the finals—Rona, Linnet, and Murihiku—were sent away to a good start at 10.35, Linnet crossing the line 2soc ahead of Rona, and Murihiku a few seconds later. It was almost calm when tho boats crossed the line. Murihiku gradually caught up on Rona, and drifted past her. Mnrihiku made the best headway, and dosed tho gap between her and Linnet. Rona lost the wind for a time, and then came away to a freshening puff, holding the windward position. All the boats thca felt the influence of the breeze, and made better progress. Rona dispensed with her leading jib, and the Auckland boat gradually gained on Linnet. Murihiku was sailing well here, and came away with a spurt. Tho boats caught a good breeze after clearing the shelter of tho wharves, and Rona passed Linnet 23miii after the start. Linnet was also sailing well, and passed Rona, and held a length lead. The boats rounded Coromandel buoy as follows: Linnet, llh Imin 40sec. Rona, llh Imin 45scc.

Murihiku, Uh 3min 45seo MURIHIKU’S MISJUDGEMENT. Murihiku misjudged the mark, and lost 55sec. Shortlv after rounding Rona had trouble with her spinnaker halyards, and the Auckland boat dropped back. Linnet continued to skate, along on the run back to the starting lino under full sail, including spinnaker. and she established a big lead. Rona dispensed with her _ spinnaker and set her leading jib. Murihiku war, well astern, but was sailing well with her spinnaker skied. Rona again set her spinnaker, but the crew had some trouble with the sail again. Linnet and Murihiku continued to carry a light breeze, but Rona. was almost becalmed for some time. Linnet increased her lead, and Murihiku lessened the gap between her and Rona. The boats rounded tho starting mark ns follows: Linnet, llh 13min 30--ec. Rona, llh 14min 45sec. Murihiku, llh lomin 45sec.

Rona was now Imin ISsec astern ot net, and Murihiku 2min 15sec asLtfn o'! the Canterbury boat. Linnet carried a better breeze for some lime than the other boats, and on the lead back to Coromandel buoy the Canterbury boat, sailing beautifully, maintained her lead, while Murihiku did not gain on Rona. Tho Auckland boat, was doing better weather work than Linnet, and, as the wind freshened again, all the boats heeled to it close hauled. Linnet’s and Rona’s skippers made every effort to lay tho mark without making a board, and succeeded. RONA GAINS. Rona gained 30sec on Linnet on thi» run, while Murihiku lost considerably. The boats rounded Coromandel mark in the following order: Linnet, llh 29rain 20seo. Rona, llh 30min ssec. Murihiku, llh 32min 45sec. Linnet set her spinnaker smartly, and skated away for tho starting line at a great speed. Rona was again slow in the attempt to set her spinnaker. The attempt was abandoned, and the leading jib hoisted. Linnet then lost the wind, and was practically becalmed for a minute or two. Rona, which was gradually catching the Canterbury boat, also ran into the calm belt for a second or two. Linnet again flew along when she caught tho breeze, while Rona was still steadily gaining. Murihiku, meantime, dropped further back, being at this stage fully a miff astern of the leading boats. The starting mark was rounded ns follows: Linnet, llh 41min 15sec. Rona, llh 41min 30sec. Murihiku, llh 46min 30sec. Rona picked up 50sec on Linnet on the run from Coromandel buoy, and on the run back to Coromandel mark the last time Rona was fighting desperately for the lead. Linnet still held the weather position, and the result of the race now depended on seamanship. Linnet’s skipper was showing great judgment, and Rona had drawn almost level with her rival, when Sinclair again went into tho load as the result of a skilful manoeuvre. Murihiku was now well over a milo astern, and hopelessly out of it. The wind was now blowing fresh from the north-east. Rona was sailing as well as Linnet, at this stage, and Lidgard was fighting every inch of the way for tho weather position; hut. Sinclair was too clever, and maintained his lead until nearing tho mark, when Rona, came away with a beautiful spurt on short tacks, and went into the lead, and rounded tho buoy 32sec ahead of the Canterbury boat. LINNET’S MISTAKE.

Sinclair then made a miscalculation, and had to make a short board'before rounding. The boats rounded as follows:--Ilona, 12h Omin 40sec. Linnet, 12h Imin J2scc. Murihiku, 12h 9min Osec. On tho run back to the finishing lino Linnet set her spinnaker, and again flew along at a, great pace, but then lost tho wind. Kona was now sailing beautifully, with the leading jib set as a spinnaker. RON A. FLIES HOME. Sinclair was fighting hard to catch the Rona, but the Auckland crack was not to be denied, and crossed tho lino 36sec ahead of tho Canterbury boat. The following aro tho correct finishing times: — Rona, 12h llmin 40soc. Linnet, 12h 12min Ifiscc, Murihiku did not cross the finishing line, but sailed direct to the boat harbor, which she entered llmin 40sec after Rona had finished. RONA AND JUNE MEASURED. JUNE MAY BE SOLD. [From Our Own Reporter.] WELLINGTON, January 28. Rona and June wore measured. Rona was checked off by tho moulds sent to Wellington by the Yacht and Motor Boat Association, and found correct. Juno checked off was also found correct, with tho exception of tho forward mould, which shows Jin less each side. The moulds, before being sent from Auckland, were checked off the originals and passed as •being correct. Konini left for ner homo port before the measurers had time to check her off. An experienced Wellington yachtsman is keen to purchase the June, and there are prospects of tho boat being sold*